Businesses in Ilkley’s South Hawksworth Street shopping area are coming together to help St George’s Crypt, the oldest homeless charity in Leeds.

Six businesses are taking part by holding a Coppers for Christmas collection and asking their customers to donate whatever copper coins they have in their pocket or purse.

As well as collecting coppers, the shops will be selling Christmas cards on behalf of the charity and Poppy Red is also selling packets of Reindeer Food for 50p.

“I have been lucky to have been accepted on the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Programme run by Leeds University,” said Helen Rhodes from Poppy Red.

“Through the course, which is all about growing your independent business, I have met Chris Field who is the current CEO of St George’s Crypt and I have therefore learned a lot about what this fabulous charity does. When we started thinking of helping a charity at Christmas time, St George’s Crypt was the natural choice.”

The businesses involved are Poppy Red, Ashworth & Tennant, Co Co, Nora’s, Maison & The Cove.